MARGAO
One building razed, two more set for demolitions, and 21 under scrutiny – that sums up the unending saga of old and dilapidated buildings amidst Margao’s growing crisis of unsafe structures.
The Margao Municipal Council and the South Goa Disaster Management Authority are grappling with an ongoing crisis involving old and dilapidated buildings scattered across the commercial capital. One unsafe building has already been demolished, two more are slated for demolition, and over 20 others are currently under close observation.
This long-standing issue has persisted for more than a decade, posing a serious threat to public safety. The matter gained renewed urgency this monsoon season when parts of three buildings collapsed in different parts of the city, drawing attention to a deeper, more widespread problem.
According to sources, the recent incidents are just the tip of the iceberg. Dozens of unsafe structures continue to dot the cityscape, putting lives at risk in nearly every neighbourhood.
Efforts to identify and address these dangerous buildings began more than 10 years ago. However, the process has since become entangled in legal hurdles and bureaucratic red tape, delaying necessary action. The slow pace of action is also attributed to political interference, with authorities saying these legal complications, including common landlord-tenant disputes, have come in the way of attempts to demolish buildings deemed hazardous, despite the clear risks they pose to public safety.
A classic case in point is the recent incident on Erasmo Carvalho Road. A portion of a structure, which previously housed a transport godown, came crashing down on a busy morning. Fortunately, no one was injured, and workers from the Margao council were quick to clear the debris strewn across the road.
However, complications arose when district disaster management officials attempted to demolish a dangerously unstable wall of the same structure, which still looms over the busy thoroughfare. Just as the demolition was underway, a small notice appeared on the building’s door stating, “Matter is sub judice.” With the issue now under judicial consideration, officials were left with no choice but to leave the job half done.
This situation raises several troubling questions: What if the remaining portion of the wall collapses, causing a tragedy? Who will be held responsible if lives are lost or property is damaged? And who will compensate the victims should the worst occur? The lack of clarity and decisive action in such cases only adds to public concern and highlights the urgent need for a more coherent response mechanism in matters involving public safety.
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Just one building has faced the axe
The list compiled by the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) currently identifies 21 buildings that have come under the civic body’s scanner. Among them, the Casa Menezes building stands out—not for its preservation, but for being the only one that has already been demolished. The owner razed it down after a portion of the building's rear side collapsed on July 31, 2021, and it was subsequently declared unsafe.
Notably, the demolition took place two years after the partial collapse, raising serious questions about the delay on the part of both the authorities and the owner in acting on the demolition orders.
As things stand today, the MMC has prepared a fresh list of 21 buildings in the city that may require structural stability assessments. A three-member panel—comprising officials from the Goa Engineering College (GEC), the Public Works Department (PWD - Buildings), and the MMC—has already conducted initial inspections of these buildings.
According to sources familiar with the matter, these inspections are being carried out in advance of the structural stability tests to be conducted by the GEC.
However, a critical question remains unanswered: Are there only 21 old and dilapidated buildings in Margao? Or have any unsafe structures slipped under the radar of the authorities for reasons yet unknown?
Concerns are being raised about the lack of regular updates to the list of ageing and potentially dangerous buildings by the authorities, including the MMC.
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DMA in spotlight
Intervention of the South Goa District Disaster Management Authority in initiating action against old and dilapidated buildings may raise hope and bring much-needed relief—especially as the MMC has virtually abdicated its responsibility to demolish unsafe structures.
Sources familiar with the matter suggest that the Disaster Management Authority should take a more proactive role by directing government agencies to identify ageing buildings, conduct structural stability tests, and engage contractors to demolish those deemed hazardous.
At a recent meeting convened by the District Collector, Egna Cletus, IAS, who heads the District Disaster Management as its chairperson, the Margao municipality cited a lack of resources, including manpower and logistics, as the reason for its inaction.
Many of these old structures are entangled in landlord-tenant disputes, while some are reportedly targeted by real estate interests seeking redevelopment. In such a scenario, sources allege that the municipal body may be reluctant to act in accordance with legal provisions, possibly to appease political patrons.
“The never-ending task of identifying unsafe buildings—and the sluggish pace at which it is being carried out—raises serious doubts about whether officials have the autonomy to act decisively in the public interest,” said one official.
“In these circumstances, the Disaster Management Authority must take the lead and ensure that the complex demolition process is completed efficiently in order to prevent a potential disaster,” the official added.
